A/N: To anyone who has followed this story since its' beginning, I'm changing the beginning. The new storyline will lead to a better ending, I promise! It will also be more logical. I will be removing the prologue and writing a new scene (or a few) prior to Melody's arrival in Middle-Earth. Her age will also be changed. The new explanation for her presence, or most of it, will appear in chapter eight.
Thank you to all who continue reading this story, especially to those who review, and also to my wonderful beta Azzie, without whom I would likely not still be writing
Finding the Light:
Chapter Seven: Rivendell:
On the same day that Frodo awoke, Melody was wandering through Rivendell with Arwen yet again. The two had little in common, but got along well. Arwen had taken Melody under her wing, so to speak, and was willing to share any part of elvish history or culture with the young woman. Melody soaked it all up eagerly, far more happily than she had learned history back home.
Day by day, her memories of home faded as her focus became Middle-Earth. Each morning the world she was in felt a little more vibrant, a little more real than the one she'd grown up in. She became slightly more accustomed to gowns, although Arwen would occasionally help her into a warrior's disguise so she could practice with weapons and hone her fighting skills. They had a lot of fun with those little escapades. Arwen was also there to comfort the human when the skills she had spent so much time honing in the Shire did not even fall in the ballpark with the skills of the elves around her.
"You are young, and have much time left to practice." The elven lady would say, before suggesting they go sit by a waterfall amongst the flowers. That had become one of Melody's favorite places.
She heard from Pippin that Frodo was awake, and said farewell to Arwen as she went looking for the young hobbit.
He was with Sam and Bilbo, admiring the latter's book. As soon as Melody ran up to embrace him, the bells began ringing for the feast. She walked with the hobbits, but bid them farewell when she saw Arwen waving her over to their seats.
"I hope you forgive me for stealing you away," the elven lady said lightly as Melody joined her.
"Of course. I must spend time with all my friends whilst I can." Melody returned, turning hungrily to the food before her. Arwen laughed softly. With all her training, the human's appetite startled many of those who did not know of her extra activities.
After everyone finished eating, they moved on to the partying portion of the evening. On her way back to the others after a brief detour to see the sunset, Melody caught sight of a slight commotion by the gates. She ran over in a rush, but there was no danger to be found.
Only the most gorgeous elf she had ever seen. He jumped lightly down from his horse, keeping one hand on its nose as he looked about warily. She supposed he was on an urgent mission, and would have no time to speak with her, if she should be worthy of such notice anyway.
But he glanced over and smiled. "Hello there," he said as he led his horse over to her. The animal trotted past him and bumped her shoulder with its muzzle, nickering softly in a friendly way.
Jolted out of her trance, Melody smiled, laughing softly as she petted the kind creature. "Aren't you handsome?" she whispered to him, laughing when he tossed his head and pranced about.
"He needs not the boost to his overly large ego." the strange elf laughed. Melody smiled, feeling herself relax some despite her nerves. "You would not happen to know where my lord Elrond is, by any chance, would you?" he continued, stroking the horse's neck as he looked at her expectantly.
"Legolas!" came Arwen's voice from above. "I see you have found my friend." Melody's heart plummeted to her toes. Any other elf so kind and merry and yes, absolutely beautiful, she would have liked to talk with some more, but the prince? She was better off chasing winged dreams than him. She dipped her head in a formal farewell.
"You will have better luck finding the lord with the help of the lady." she murmured before bowing and turning to leave.
"Wait! Would you not give me your name?" Though it broke her heart to walk away, Melody did not answer.
"Her name is Melody, and she is not always this shy." Arwen said quietly as she came to stand beside the prince. "Forgive her, she is not used to such royal company, and I believe it sets her ill at ease."
"I thought she seemed more friendly before she recognized me." Legolas replied sadly. Melody's hair rippled down her back like a dying flame as she hurried back to the party and her hobbit friends.
"Come," Arwen said, laughing, as Aragorn came to join them. "Perhaps you can win a dance with her sometime before the sun comes again."
"With who?" Aragorn asked, clueless due to his late arrival.
"Melody." Arwen told him, at the same time Legolas replied with,
"The beautiful woman who came to greet me." His two friends smiled knowingly, and ushered him on into the party with the others.
"Sing, Melody! Sing!" Merry and Pipping were chanting some hours later. Legolas glanced about from where he stood surrounded by laughing elves. Politely excusing himself, he moved over closer to the hobbits, scanning the crowd for the flaming haired woman he had met earlier. Some moments later he spotted her near Aragorn, Frodo, and Bilbo as the latter finished his song. While the old hobbit spoke with Lindir, Melody blushed and waved off the requests of her friends.
"I couldn't!" she protested, half laughing. "And you are silly to suggest such a thing! Tonight I will only listen."
"They are not the only ones who wish to hear your voice." Legolas called as he came to stand nearby. Melody visibly tensed, though she relaxed somewhat when Arwen appeared.
"Yes, how is it that I am the only of your friends who has never heard you sing?" Arwen teased. Melody's blush deepened, but she stubbornly refused.
"Perhaps if the prince left, you would feel more at ease?" Aragorn offered, only in jest, but Melody's face went white and she refused more than ever to so much as look at the blonde elf.
"Come, just one song." he pleaded. Her name was aptly given, for when she spoke or laughed, he heard music and bells, but she would not lift her voice in song.
"The songs I know are not fit for these halls." she said at last. "I know songs of pain and sorrow, or rage and rebellion, but not the poetry that is recited herein."
"Come, let us hear something from your home." Arwen encouraged, but Melody shook her head, refusing any and all attempts. Eventually she disappeared into the night.
Frodo followed her quietly, knowing that as upset as she was, music was an outlet for her emotion.
"What would it take,
for things to be quiet?
Quiet, like the snow,
And I know
this is too much, but I know I could, I could be better!
I don't think I deserve it;
selflessness, find your way into my heart
All stars could be brighter,
All hearts could be warmer.
What would it take?
For things to be quiet,
Quiet, like the snow.
Are we meant to be empty-handed?
I know, I could,
I could be better!
I don't think I deserve it;
Selflessness, find your way into my heart.
All stars could be brighter,
All hearts could be warmer.
What would it take,
For things to be quiet..
Quiet, like the snow?
Find your way, into my heart,
What would it take,
For things to be quiet?
Find your way, into my heart,
What would it take,
For things to be quiet?"
Frodo stopped as she finished her song. Her voice was lovely, but twisted in pain as it rose to the stars above. He understood some of what she was feeling now, but perhaps not how far she had fallen.
So she doesn't feel worthy of the elves, he thought. Well that makes sense thus far. She is merely courteous towards Elrond, not open and friendly. Arwen I heard had to spend some time with her before she became comfortable around the Lady of Rivendell. Perhaps it has something to do with titles, as well. She is far more friendly with elves of no particular rank than those with titles.
He tiptoed back to the party, knowing that his friend would be alright for now and would either return either or her bed on her own.
